Bahraın - The New New Jersey?

After spending the last 5 months exploring the height of Hindu and Buddhist civilization, you might think that we've peaked already in our search for culture. But you're wrong. Because in the sultanate of Bahrain (where we passed through on our flight from Kathmandu to Istanbul), amidst a sea of nouveau riche construction and fancy desert landscape, we found a Cinnabon outlet. Sweet jesus, the best part of my Jersey childhood (besides you, Mom and Dad, love you guys! you too, sis) doesn't exist in San Francisco anymore, but can now be found in the heart of the Middle East. Have I already mentioned how much I love globalization? Anyway, our 11 hour layover allowed me to have a midnight snack Cinnabon and a 2nd breakfast Cinnabon. I am happy.

We spent our last night in Kathmandu singing karaoke with my sister. Finally, after a search that began in January in Bali, we were finally able to get our mics (and swerve) on. The song selection was sparse, but there was just enough Scorpions to get us through the evening. Which reminds me, mark it down on your calendars - Aug. 27, we're hosting a huge-ass karaoke rager in New York City. If you're in the same time zone, you gotta come. We've already begun planning our setlist (and international costume selection). Details to come.

Now we're in Turkey, reeling from sticker shock after getting used to living on the cheap in Asia, but rockin' on. Today we sat down for a couple hours at an outdoor cafe to drink tea and play backgammon amidst a score of Turkish old men. They mocked me as Meg (gasp, a woman!) trounced me. We've already learned that no one here drinks Turkish coffee; we hope to soon discover whether the reputations of Turkish delight and Turkish prisons are similarly overblown.

rahul